epw025477 ENGLAND (1928). The Norman Cement Works, the Saxon Portland Cement Works and the Atlas Concrete Works, Cambridge, 1928. This image has been produced from a copy-negative.

On maps, in 1888-1891, only the original line is present. Both lines are shown on the 1903-04 map, and by the 1927-28 map the original line is removed, except for an extended siding on the section from the station to the west side of Coleridge Road. This photo appears to show that the track has been lifted by the time it was taken in 1928, which agrees with the maps.



C J Wignall's "Complete British Railways Maps and Gazetteer", published in 1986, doesn't show this line, although it shows the direct line from Great Chesterford to near Six Mile Bottom that was closed in 1858! "Forgotten Railways: Vol 7 East Anglia" by R S Joby (David and Charles, 1985) doesn't mention this original line either!



I suspect the line was deviated to make traffic-handling at Cambridge station easier by bringing the traffic in on the main line. It's also clear from the maps that with the railway out of the way that area of Cambridge could be developed more thoroughly.